Date: Fri 25-Apr-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

CO-levels-high-school

Full Text:

Elevated CO Levels Causes Headaches At NHS

PAGE ONE

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Sandy Hook firefighters responded to Newtown High School Wednesday morning

after learning there was a carbon monoxide problem at the school.

Sandy Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Chief Bill Halstead said he received a

report after 8 am Wednesday, April 23, informing him that a male and a female

student at the school had experienced headaches, which subsided after they

went out of the building and breathed some fresh air.

At 8:28 am, Sandy Hook firefighters went to the school and, using their gas

detection meter, found carbon monoxide levels of 12 to 15 parts per million in

corridors around the existing school gymnasium.

Chief Halstead termed the carbon monoxide levels there "a moderate amount."

"But over a prolonged period of time, it could have an effect on you," he

added.

Further investigation found that workmen who are building an addition to the

high school had placed two mixing machines very close to openings in the

building where the new addition meets the existing building, he said.

Both mixers were running and the engine exhaust was finding its way into the

high school, the chief said. One mixer was only about five feet from the

building, he said.

Carbon monoxide readings at that location were over 200 parts per million,

Chief Halstead said.

Firefighters redirected the exhaust from the machines away from the building

and had the openings in the building sealed, he said.

Pedestal fans were then placed in school corridors to ventilate the building,

he said. Some doors were opened. The school's ventilation system apparently is

not working at full capacity, he said. The school was not evacuated.

As a precaution, ductways leading from the school's basement to upper floors

were sealed to prevent any seepage of carbon monoxide from the basement to

upper levels, Chief Halstead said.

Firefighters returned to the school at about 12:40 pm to check carbon monoxide

levels again.

Readings indicated that no carbon monoxide was present, he said.

Being exposed to 35 parts per million of carbon monoxide across an eight-hour

period is considered a dangerous level, Chief Halstead said.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas produced by the

incomplete combustion of fuel.